Livid Instruments Ohm64 USB/MIDI Control Surface

The Livid Instruments Ohm64 is an adaptable, programmable, and interactive MIDI control surface designed to give you hands-on control over your performance. High-quality sliders, knobs and buttons provide the interface for creative expression, whether you're mixing samples and synths or DJ'ing a cutting-edge set. Constructed with an aluminum faceplate and a gorgeous body of hand-finished wood, the quality is felt down to your fingertips. All of Livid's controllers are proudly hand crafted and assembled for artists by artists in our Austin, Texas shop.

The Ohm64 has bi-directional talkback communication allowing the controller to talk to your software, and software to your device. MIDI messages can be sent to the Ohm64 to light up the buttons for an interactive performance. Completely programable and mappable, the Ohm64 provides a flexible control surface that be used with any software or setup. Completely USB powered means you don't have to worry about adapters and and power strips, and it is plug and play so no drivers are required.

TalkBack
The Ohm64 not only sends MIDI data, it receives it as well. MIDI input is used to control 75 LEDs behind all buttons except the six "F" buttons. This provides an opportunity to create unique responses to your actions.

For example, a very simple case is using Ableton Live to trigger clips. If you are controlling eight tracks of eight clips, MIDI sent to the Ohm will light up LEDs to let you know what clip is playing, as well as what clip… read more is armed to play on the next quantization beat.

Another example is setting up "follow actions" in Live to create loop slicers for segmenting and sequencing clips or parts of loops. Using the LEDs on the Ohm to let you know where you are lets you focus on the controller and see your arrangements on the grid.

Livid's video performance software Cell DNA that comes with the Ohm64 is pre-programmed to discover the Ohm64 on your USB port and adapt its MIDI settings to whatever the Ohm64 is programmed to send. Additionally, it will light the clip bank to let you know what clips is currently selected and playing.

Another advantage is extending the complexity of your setup. With a program such as Max/MSP, Max for Live, Plogue Bidule, PD, or Logic (to name a few), you can create patches that process,route, and send MIDI data to the Ohm that provide unique looks, visual patterns, or create "pages" to use the Ohm to control different parts of your programs. Lighting the LEDs in a way that makes sense to you, extends the usefulness of the controller, and keeps you from getting lost in the software.

Step-sequencers get a huge advantage with LED talkback on 64 buttons. In combination with pages and tracks, you could create different sequences of eighth notes, sixteenth notes, or even 64th notes. We will soon have some examples of this forthcoming.

We hope that with some of our simple examples, you can start making interesting new instruments that take advantage of this. Simple game-style instruments or physics engines can provide interesting frameworks for presenting music. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

USB Powered and Plug and Play
The Ohm64 is a class compliant plug and play MIDI device. This means you don't need to deal with any drivers, simply connect it to your computer and start playing. Livid has also designed the Ohm64 to power from the USB port on your computer, so no power adapters, cables, or power strips, just one USB cable is all you need to power your controller.

High Quality Faders and Knobs
All of the faders and knobs on the Ohm64 have been custom designed for maximum feel and performance. The sliders are smooth dual rail that won't stick or wobble, and the crossfader is responsive even to the slightest touch. The all-metal constructed knobs can withstand demanding use and won't bend, break, or shake. They understand the importance of feeling the quality of your controls in performance and have not cut any corners in the design of the Ohm64's controls.

MIDI In and Out
The Ohm64 has a standard 5-pin MIDI In and Out ports, giving you the ability to control other instruments and devices. Analog midi gear, sequencers, samplers, sensors, or custom made controllers can all be controlled with the Ohm64. Other MIDI devices can also be connected to the Ohm64 MIDI input allowing you to easily integrate the Ohm64 into your existing setup. The Ohm64 does have to be connected to a computer for power to use the analog MIDI output.

Ohm64 Editor
The Ohm64 Editor provides an interface for changing the MIDI assignments of the Ohm64 buttons, knobs, and sliders. Sliders and knobs can send out a variety of combinations of control and pitchbend data.

Buttons send out note or controller messages. The lights behind all buttons except the F1-6 buttons respond to note or cc messages to turn them on and off.

With the Editor, you can click on each control element and assign MIDI messages as desired, for both input and output. The Quick Assign tool gives a text-based option, so you can enter in ranges of numbers to quickly assign all buttons, knobs, and sliders notes and controller values. Different settings can be stored in presets for later recall.

Additional tools for setting the backlighting and logo brightness, resetting to factory defaults, and storing the settings in flash memory so they are recalled on power-up, are also provided.

Custom Design
Created by artists and musicians, the Ohm64 was created to be a real performance instrument that you can feel confident performing with. Every last detail has been considered when designing the Ohm64, from the custom rubber keypads to the hand selection of the wood used in making the body. All of Livid's products are manufactured lead-free and are completely ROHS compliant. Every Ohm64 is hand assembled in the USA and shows in the quality of construction.

While the species of wood may change from time to time as supplies vary, they are currently manufacturing the Ohm64 with Jelutong wood, which is light in color and has the characteristics of Mahogany. Hand finishes are applied and we offer it in natural, red, blue, and unfinished. The natural and color finishes have six coats water based clear coat for a durable and environmentally friendly VOC free finish that is high gloss and a smooth feel.

The faceplates and backplates on the Ohm64 are milled from lightweight aluminum and have an anodized type powder coat that will withstand demanding use. Everything from the milling of the metal and wood to the printed circuit board assembly is done in house at Livid's Austin, Texas facility to assure high quality control and craftsmanship.

Software
The Ohm64 was designed as an adaptable control surface to be used with a wide range of software and applications. The bi-directional communication of the Ohm64 allows for a wide range of uses from DJing and producing to creating live visuals. If you are using it as a sequencer in Ableton Live, a video mixer in Cell DNA, or a interactive instrument in Max/MSP, it can be completely customized to play and listen to your software.

The Ohm64 Editor is an open source software tool we provide to let you have complete access to the MIDI messages and lighting on your controller. We have an "open minded" approach to our products and provide the source code to the software to encourage modifications and uses to be shared alike.

Included with the purchase of an Ohm64 is a full version of video performance software Cell DNA. Cell DNA is pre-programmed to be used with the Ohm64 and will light the clip bank to let you know what clips is currently selected and playing. read less